2016 NBA Draft: Dragan Bender Player Breakdown

Dragan Bender, a professional Croatian basketball player currently playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Super League poses for a photo after a training session at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on March 16, 2016.(JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Croatian player Dragen Bender (L) fights for the ball against Hapoel Jerusalem’s US player Josh Duncan during a Winner League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem at the Pais Arena in Jerusalem on March 21, 2016. (Photo Credit: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images) /

Key Strengths

There’s plenty to like about Dragan Bender. He’s a 7’1″ power forward with a 7’2″ wingspan, NBA-caliber athleticism, rare offensive versatility, intriguing defensive potential, and the upside to play three different positions.

Thus, it’s easy to see why scouts and general managers are so enamored with Bender as a prospect.

Bender has elite size for both a power forward or a center, which gives him an inherent advantage over the competition. What makes Bender’s size so valuable is the fact that he’s athletic enough to run in transition and defend the pick-and-roll.

Far from being flat-footed, it stands to reason that Bender can become a plus defender and a respected shot-blocker in the NBA.

Offensively, Bender balances a modern skill set—3-point shooting and solid handles—with traditional abilities—competency in the low post and a presence on the offensive glass. He doesn’t yet have a go-to skill, but is solid across the board.

Some have hypothesized that Bender could spot minutes at small forward, a la Nikola Mirotic, which is a testament to his remarkable skill level at 18 years of age.

Next: Key Weaknesses

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